World Rugby Reveal Their Decision Regarding Sonny Bill Williams’ Appeal

Ah well it is his birthday today after all.

An appeal by All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams against the matches which a disciplinary committee counted towards his four-week suspension following his red card during the second Lions Test in has been upheld by an appeal panel independent of World Rugby.

A game being played by New Zealand against Counties Manukau and Taranaki on 11 August that had been excluded from the suspension by the original disciplinary committee has now been deemed to comply with the regulations’ definition of a “match” and, as such, that match will be included as part of the player’s suspension. Accordingly, Williams is suspended from all forms of rugby up to and including 11 August.

The Blues centre will now be available to play in New Zealand’s Bledisloe Cup opener against Australia.